Today, I received a call from the Chicago Tribune's writer, Ameet Sachdev.
He wanted to know why I didn't disclose my relationship to Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. on my previous blog post about Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.
In the interest of full disclosure and transparency:
1. I did not violate the Huffington Post's policy on disclosure and the Huffington Post told The Tribune that I did not violate their rules.
2. My original post did not state that I know and worked with Reverend Jackson, Congressman Jackson's father, in the past. To me, since Reverend Jackson has nothing to do with the Blagojevich case, I simply didn't think the disclosure was needed. If it was needed, I would have had no problem saying so. I also assumed that since my Huffington Post bio clearly states my work with his father, I would never be accused of not being totally transparent. Also, my bios on my own blog, www.tamaraholder.squarespace.com, and my bio on my firm's website, www.xpunged.com, I disclose my work with Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr.
3. I have never, not once, worked with Congressman Jackson on a single issue. He and I do sit on a board of an organization, Women of Power, that sits within the Cook County Jail. He is an honorary member which essentially means they have his support. Several years ago, I attended maybe one or two board meetings. He was not present. I haven't attended a board meeting or event in years. (Click here to see the long list of members of the board.)
4. I do not have a personal relationship with Congressman Jackson. I do not spend personal time with him now, nor have I ever.
5. On Friday, the Huffington Post alerted me to the Chicago Tribune's "objection" to my failure to disclose. I amended my blog and made the disclosure -- I thought my bio spoke for itself, so it wasn't a big deal to add the disclosure within the post.
6. My previous posts have given disclosure where I felt it was needed. For example, I wrote an unfavorable blog about the Madigans and included a disclosure:
(PS: I want to make it clear that I have absolutely no personal issue with any of these Chicago politicians. I met with AG Madigan a couple of times on legislative issues on expungement and sealing laws. She was very interested in my positions, I found her to be extremely competent and likeable. I also met several times with Governor Blagojevich on the issue of pardons. He was also generous with his time, even though he didn't do as promised: clear that pile of 2500+ pardon petitions from his desk.)
7. I created a pro bono clinic at Rainbow Push in 2006; however, I have not held a clinic meeting for about a year and a half because it was very consuming of my time. I loved this work; in fact, I was recognized by the Chicago Sun Times as one of 50 people making Chicago a better place, because of the pro bono clinic. All of this information is fully transparent. Almost everything you read about me and my work, you will see that I have worked with Rev. Jackson.
8. My blog on Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. was based on my personal conclusions after I attended opening statements. I clearly stated that we have yet to hear evidence, but, based on the statements of all three parties of what the evidence will show, I concluded Congressman Jackson's name will be cleared. I have been following his role (or lack thereof) in this case from the beginning and I have written about it on my personal blog.
9. Obviously, I am not a judge nor am I a member of the jury. I have followed, written about and discussed this case with great detail from many angles, since the Governor's arrest, 18 months ago.
I am not a "reporter" -- I am an attorney, a legal analyst and a Contributor for FOX News Channel. I do not have to be fair or balanced so long as I can articulate my position with a strong argument. You do not have to agree with any of my positions.
I have no problem repeating the same disclosure over and over, in an effort to avoid any confusion or accusation that I have a secret motive or desire to be misleading.